MCAT Social and Behavioral Sciences : Factors Affecting Behavior Change and Learning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Social and Behavioral Sciences

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All MCAT Social and Behavioral Sciences Resources

133 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Conditioning, Learning, And Behavior Change

Which of the following seemingly decreases the strength of a behavior (i.e. suppresses responding)?

Possible Answers:

Both negative reinforcement and punishment

Punishment

Negative reinforcement

Resistance to extinction

Positive reinforcement

Correct answer:

Punishment

Explanation:

Punishers seem to decrease the strength of a behavior.

On the other hand, "positive reinforcement" uses a reward to encourage some behavior. "Negative reinforcement" involves the removal of some sort of (usually aversive) stimuli after a behavior has been displayed, which increases the strength of the behavior. Last, "resistance to extinction" is not a form of behavior modification.

 

All MCAT Social and Behavioral Sciences Resources

133 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
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